Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly those related to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and low back disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also found that the current low back disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals concerning service connection and increased ratings for his back condition, bilateral hip disability, PTSD, and right knee disability have been dismissed. The appeal for a TDIU has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability and sleep-related condition are related to service, but more evidence is needed for a definitive determination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for medical opinions. The issues of left shoulder, low back, and both feet disabilities are being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a back condition and sinusitis have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's right knee instability, strain, and scars are rated at 10 percent each. The combined rating is less than the minimum required for TDIU (60% or more disability).

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates due to incomplete records from private providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with wedge deformities of the thoracic spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet his claim for an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and mid-thoracic degenerative disc disease, residuals of a nose fracture (deviated nasal septum), and depressive disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied. The case is remanded to address the issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, peptic ulcer, prostatitis, and hypercholesterolemia as the evidence did not show a relationship to service.,Service connection was also denied for type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal, nerve, joint, and psychiatric disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of these issues. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the issues are being remanded due to missing medical records and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for sarcoidosis was denied. The Board also remanded the cases of increased rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU evaluation.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities were granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to March 3, 2012.,A 20 percent evaluation was granted for the Veteran’s thoracic scoliosis from March 3, 2012 to April 30, 2015. The lower extremity radiculopathies were granted a 10 percent evaluation starting May 1, 2014 and a 20 percent evaluation starting June 8, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar DDD and DJD, as well as for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and ischemic heart disease were denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation claims, including as due to herbicide exposure or secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 19, 2013 for service connection of right hip bursitis, lumbar strain disability, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and further adjudicate the claims.